50 Motivational Quotes From Inspiring Women Leaders

The climb to the top can be tough going for anyone. But as women, there are particular hurdles that can make the journey upward toward positions of power and influence -- in myriad spheres -- especially challenging. 

Here, in 50 inspiring quotes, businesswomen, role models, activists, entertainers, authors and politicians share their thoughts on leadership and success -- and what exactly those words mean to them. 

Whether we're forging our own paths or following in the footsteps of those who've gone ahead, these trailblazers, innovators, explorers and disrupters can encourage, motivate and push us to reach new heights -- in business and in life. 

Related: 6 Innovative Women to Watch

 

“I don’t go by the rule book. I lead from the heart, not the head.” -- Princess Diana

Princess Diana spoke about her inner compass: “I don’t go by the rule book. I lead from the heart, not the head.”

“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.” -- Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama: “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.” 

"There's no situation -- none -- that isn't improved with a couple of laughs. Everybody needs laughs." -- Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Award-winning actor and producer Julia Louis-Dreyfus: "There's no situation -- none -- that isn't improved with a couple of laughs. Everybody needs laughs."

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” -- Estée Lauder

Estée Lauder, renowned for her personal touch with customers, once said, “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”

"The more you can be authentic, the happier you're going to be, and life will work itself around that." -- Melinda Gates

Melinda Gates spoke about the importance of staying true to yourself: "The more you can be authentic, the happier you're going to be, and life will work itself around that." 

"Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed at how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different." -- Indra Nooyi

The former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi on intentions: "Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed at how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different. When you assume negative intent, you're angry. If you take away that anger and assume positive intent, you will be amazed. Your emotional quotient goes up because you are no longer almost random in your response."

"Creating the culture of burnout is the opposite of creating a culture of sustainable creativity." -- Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington, founder of Huffington Post and founder and CEO of Thrive Global, shared her thoughts on digital addiction: “'Restore connection’ is not just for devices, it is for people too. If we cannot disconnect, we cannot lead. Creating the culture of burnout is the opposite of creating a culture of sustainable creativity. This is something that needs to be taught in business schools. This mentality needs to be introduced as a leadership and performance-enhancing tool.” 

“The only safe ship in a storm is leadership.” -- Faye Wattleton

Faye Wattleton, former President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, was the youngest, first woman and first African American to hold the position. She has been quoted saying, “The only safe ship in a storm is leadership.”

“My best successes came on the heels of failures.” -- Barbara Corcoran

Real estate icon and Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran has learned to embrace when things don't go her way: “My best successes came on the heels of failures.”

"Strategic leaders must not get consumed by the operational and tactical side of their work." -- Stephanie S. Mead

Stephanie S. Mead, Senior Vice President of CMOE and author, said, "Strategic leaders must not get consumed by the operational and tactical side of their work. They have a duty to find time to shape the future."

"The most important words that have helped me in life, when things have gone right or when things have gone wrong, are 'accept responsibility.'" -- Billie Jean King

Tennis champion and social justice warrior Billie Jean King on what matters in good times and bad: "The most important words that have helped me in life, when things have gone right or when things have gone wrong, are 'accept responsibility.'"

“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes…and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt on the power of choice: “One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes…and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.”

“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.” -- Maya Angelou

Poet, author, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Maya Angelou on possibilities: “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” -- Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton has said, “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”

“No matter how senior you get in an organization, no matter how well you're perceived to be doing, your job is never done.” -- Abigail Johnson

Chairman and CEO of Fidelity Investments Abigail Johnson on maintaining hunger: “No matter how senior you get in an organization, no matter how well you're perceived to be doing, your job is never done.”

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -- Margaret Mead

Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead has noted, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

“I try to participate in esteemable acts. I help people. I try to be kind and walk in the shoes of others. It’s really all selfish because it makes me feel great.”​​​​​​​ -- Kristen Bell

Entrepreneur, actress and producer Kristen Bell on being "selfish": “I try to participate in esteemable acts. I help people. I try to be kind and walk in the shoes of others. It’s really all selfish because it makes me feel great.”

Related: 5 Powerful Rules for Women Entrepreneurs to Live By

“There are two kinds of stones, as everyone knows, one of which rolls.” -- Amelia Earhart

Aviation hero Amelia Earhart's philosophy: “There are two kinds of stones, as everyone knows, one of which rolls.”

“Leadership is a series of behaviors rather than a role for heroes.” -- Margaret Wheatley

Writer Margaret Wheatley noted, “Leadership is a series of behaviors rather than a role for heroes.”

"Make sure that you stay in touch with the people you’re interested in, make sure they’re aware of you, that you stay on their radar." -- Tina Brown

Media titan Tina Brown has said of professional relationships: "Make sure that you stay in touch with the people you’re interested in, make sure they’re aware of you, that you stay on their radar."

"You manage things; you lead people.” -- Grace Murray Hopper

Grace Murray Hopper, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, makes this important distinction: "You manage things; you lead people.”

“We treat our people like royalty. If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you.” -- Mary Kay Ash

Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, on employee relationships: “We treat our people like royalty. If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you.”

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” -- Helen Keller

Helen Keller wrote: “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

“My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” -- Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey wants us all to take control of the wheel: “My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”

“I wake up every morning and think to myself, ‘How far can I push the company forward in the next 24 hours?’” -- Leah Busque

TaskRabbit founder Leah Busque has said of self-motivation: “I wake up every morning and think to myself, ‘How far can I push the company forward in the next 24 hours?’”

“Surround yourself with a trusted and loyal team. It makes all the difference.” -- Alison Pincus

One Kings Lane co-founder Alison Pincus on hiring: “Surround yourself with a trusted and loyal team. It makes all the difference.”

"The way to overcome people's biases is typically by delivering results. No one can really refute the results you deliver." -- Lisa Borders

Former W.N.B.A. President and chief executive and president of Time’s Up Lisa Borders spoke to Entrepreneur about being underestimated: "The way to overcome people's biases is typically by delivering results. No one can really refute the results you deliver."

“Don’t waste a single second. Just move forward as fast as you can, and go for it.” -- Rebecca Woodcock

Rebecca Woodcock, co-founder of Cake Health, one seizing the moment: “Don’t waste a single second. Just move forward as fast as you can, and go for it.”

“I am endlessly fascinated that playing football is considered a training ground for leadership, but raising children isn’t.” -- Dee Dee Myers

Dee Dee Myers, former White House Press Secretary, has noted: “I am endlessly fascinated that playing football is considered a training ground for leadership, but raising children isn’t.”

“We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat; they do not exist.” -- Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria, Former Queen of the United Kingdom shared her outlook on challenges: “We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat; they do not exist.” 

"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be." -- Rosalynn Carter

Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady, on leadership: "A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be." 

“Good leaders organize and align people around what the team needs to do. Great leaders motivate and inspire people with why they’re doing it." -- Marillyn Hewson

Lockheed Martin President and CEO Marillyn Hewson has discussed what she thinks is a leader's most important function: “Good leaders organize and align people around what the team needs to do. Great leaders motivate and inspire people with why they’re doing it. That’s purpose. And that’s the key to achieving something truly transformational.”  

“I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind leading.” -- Amy Poehler

Writer, actor, producer and author Amy Poehler says of a term most people hate: “I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind leading.”

“Ninety percent of leadership is the ability to communicate something people want.” -- Dianne Feinstein

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein on the power of messaging: “Ninety percent of leadership is the ability to communicate something people want.”

"Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.” -- Sheryl Sandberg

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg: “Presenting leadership as a list of carefully defined qualities (like strategic, analytical and performance-oriented) no longer holds. Instead, true leadership stems from individuality that is honestly and sometimes imperfectly expressed… Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.”

“Professional intellectuals are the voice of a culture and are, therefore, its leaders, its integrators and its bodyguards.” -- Ayn Rand

Novelist Ayn Rand shared her belief on the power of thought and education: “Professional intellectuals are the voice of a culture and are, therefore, its leaders, its integrators and its bodyguards.”

"[D]reams do not come true just because you dream them. It's hard work that makes things happen. It's hard work that creates change." -- Shonda Rhimes

Entertainment powerhouse Shonda Rhimes on making your mark: "Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It's hard work that makes things happen. It's hard work that creates change."

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” -- Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa spoke of finding your inner strength: “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.” -- Serena Williams

Tennis champion Serena Williams on the power of community: “The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.”

"The only way to get what you really want is to let go of what you don't want.” -- Iyanla Vanzant

Motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant on focusing your energy on the positive: "The only way to get what you really want is to let go of what you don't want.”

"We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark." -- Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg speaking on a higher purpose: "We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark."

"[P]eople become motivated when you guide them to the source of their own power and when you make heroes out of employees who personify what you want to see in the organization.” -- Anita Roddick

The Body Shop founder Anita Roddick spoke about the importance of living up to your message: “You have to look at leadership through the eyes of the followers and you have to live the message. What I have learned is that people become motivated when you guide them to the source of their own power and when you make heroes out of employees who personify what you want to see in the organization.”

“Many women live like it’s a dress rehearsal. Ladies, the curtain is up and you’re on.” -- Mikki Taylor

Lifestyle author and expert Mikki Taylor wrote: “Many women live like it’s a dress rehearsal. Ladies, the curtain is up and you’re on.”

“I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” -- Ginni Rometty

Ginni Rometty, chair, President and CEO of IBM says that our comfort zones are wildly over-rated: “I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.”

"What I always say is, 'Do every job you're in like you're going to do it for the rest of your life, and demonstrate that ownership of it.'" -- Mary Barra

Mary Barra, the Chairwoman and CEO of General Motors Company, said, "What I always say is, 'Do every job you're in like you're going to do it for the rest of your life, and demonstrate that ownership of it.'"

“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” -- Anne Sweeney

Former co-chair of Disney Media Anne Sweeney described the importance of doing what is meaningful to you: “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”

"I work really hard at trying to see the big picture and not getting stuck in ego." -- Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres tries to not forget that she is part of a bigger world: “I work really hard at trying to see the big picture and not getting stuck in ego. I believe we’re all put on this planet for a purpose, and we all have a different purpose… When you connect with that love and that compassion, that’s when everything unfolds.”

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” -- Sara Blakely

Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, is empowered by the unknown: “Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.”

“It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” -- J.K Rowling

J.K Rowling says the ball is in our court: “It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

"Being different is critical." -- Ana Patricia Botín

Ana Patricia Botín, Executive Chair of Banco Santander explained of her drive for new initiatives: "Being different is critical."